Feed Your Hair Like You Feed Your Soul

July 27, 2025

Your Plate Might Be Telling on Your Hair

We grew up knowing cornbread could heal almost anything. Long day? Plate it up. Family drama? Pass the greens. Hair looking dry and dusty? Well… we didn’t always make that connection.

But truth be told, our hair and our food got more in common than we think. The same way collards soak up seasoning is the same way your strands soak up—or repel—moisture.

So let’s stop separating what feeds us from what frees us. Because southern food hair health is a real thing, and you deserve to know how your culture, your kitchen, and your conditioner are all working together (or not) on your crown.

The Science: What Your Hair's Craving Might Say About Your Health

You ever notice how after eating a good, balanced meal your curls seem to cooperate better? That ain’t just in your head. Your hair is out here responding to what’s on your fork and in your water bottle.

Here’s what the science (and our aunties) say:

Collards are rich in folate, iron, and vitamins A + C—nutrients that support scalp circulation and reduce hair thinning.
Cornmeal, when used as a scrub or cleanser, helps with product buildup while keeping your natural oils intact.
Sweet potatoes, okra, and black-eyed peas? Full of zinc, biotin, and fiber. All of which promote growth, moisture retention, and less breakage.

What’s the real gag?
Your porosity level determines how your hair holds onto all that goodness, from your products and your plate.
Low porosity hair might struggle to absorb moisture (and nutrients), while high porosity hair loses it just as fast as it gets it.

That’s why knowing your hair’s porosity is non-negotiable.
You can eat all the collards and use the best conditioners in the world, but if your hair ain’t built to hold it? It’s gone with the wind, sis.

The Solution: Feed It from Both Sides. Inside and Out.

Healthy hair is more than a product routine; it’s a whole vibe. One that starts at the table and ends with the bonnet.

🍽️ On Your Plate:

Add leafy greens like collards, kale, or mustard greens 2–3 times a week.
Drink more water. Your strands are thirsty, and tap water counts.
Choose whole foods that mirror your traditions, like roasted sweet potatoes or cornbread made with olive oil instead of lard.

💦 In Your Routine:

Pre-poo with oils like avocado or grapeseed to prep for wash day.
Deep condition regularly, especially if your hair feels like straw after being in the sun or under a wig.
Seal with something rich, especially if you have high porosity hair that loses moisture fast.

Remember

You don’t need to abandon your culture to have healthy hair—you just need to learn how to work with it.
Hair porosity is the missing ingredient in many routines. Without knowing it, you could be wasting time and products.
Feed your hair like you feed your body—with care, tradition, and moisture in mind.

Want to Know What Your Hair’s Really Hungry For?

🍽️ Read our FREE Porosity Cheat Sheet to stop guessing and start nourishing.
It’s the missing link between your conditioner and your kitchen.

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